Washed and Risen: The Next Chapter Begins

Lilia Grundy brings lessons learned during the Triduum into Easter season and beyond. 

Heading into the chapel, I felt excited and ready to assist with the special liturgy of Holy Thursday’s Washing of the Feet. The University Campus Ministry team had asked if I would volunteer, and I happily accepted. For some reason it hadn’t occurred to me that I might be the one whose feet would be washed — I had assumed I would be doing the washing.

I read various reflections, including a Catholic Mom Daily Gospel Reflection by Colleen Pressprich in which she wrote,

What we do need to be reminded of is that the Lord wants to wash our feet too. He wants to serve us, to love us, to touch us, even the dirty, messy parts of our lives.

So it was a pleasant surprise when, upon checking in for duty, I learned I would in fact be having my feet washed by Father. “Are you still okay to participate?” my colleague asked, sensing my hesitation.

“Oh yes!” I replied. Admittedly a bit nervous, I was also grateful that Jesus was inviting me to encounter Him.

It had been a long Lent — one plagued by family injuries and illness — and I was tired. Participating in the Washing of the Feet was a beautifully humbling experience. I kept repeating in my mind, “Jesus wants to look at you and love you.”

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Offering Our Pain at the Cross

Holy Thursday Mass was a welcome day of respite, but approaching Good Friday was difficult because one of our daughters was too sick to attend the Veneration of the Cross that evening. She had been ill all week, so it felt as if a part of us was missing during the service. We prayed and adored together.

Attending this service means so much to our family because we are deeply beholden to the Lord for all our blessings. We walked up to the cross with open hands and hearts. My takeaway that night was to offer all our pains — literally at the cross — to praise, to worship, and to give thanks, even while we grieved.

Easter Interrupted, Grace Sustained

We carried the message of joy and triumph from the Easter Vigil into Easter — despite all of us visiting Urgent Care that day. It turned out our other daughter had caught a virus, so we decided to get tested to make sure no further treatment was required.

We were downhearted to have to tell Nana we wouldn’t be attending her annual lavish brunch. This wasn’t how we had anticipated spending Easter Sunday, but I reminded myself of the many gifts we have been given. A song I’d recently heard, “For the Hell of It,” came to mind. Its words encourage giving thanks even when we don’t feel like it.

So, I thanked God for access to medical care and assistance, especially on Easter Sunday. I thanked God for the chance to be together as a family (even if it was simply to watch House of David on Prime Video!)

As I reflect on this Triduum and the lessons I take into the Easter season and beyond, I’m reminded that things don’t — and won’t always — go according to plan. We had scheduled a pleasant spring break trip to visit my sister in California, but illness lingered and we couldn’t travel as a complete family. I hold onto the way Jesus looked at me through the priest’s eyes during the Washing of the Feet. I offer my sorrows to the cross, as we did at the Veneration of the Cross. And we keep giving thanks “for the hell of it,” because God is good — there is a reason for everything and He has a plan.

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Pause and reflect:

What did Lent and the Triduum teach you? How will those lessons guide your Easter season, and how can you cultivate thankfulness when plans fail?

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Copyright 2026 Lilia Grundy
Images: (top, bottom) iStockPhoto.com, licensed for use by Holy Cross Family Ministries; (center) Canva